With more operations involving sour gas or deep water, extreme operating conditions are expected and respiratory protective devices may need to pass additional critical tests that are far beyond the requirements of existing standards. This is the testing and certification process that makes an EEBD fit for use in OGP applications in Europe.
- Governing Standard – EN402
To be finally approved and certified for use in Europe, pressure demand (positive pressure) EEBDs are tested to the applicable European Standard.
EN 402:2003
Respiratory protective devices - Lung governed demand Self-contained open-circuit compressed air breathing apparatus with full face mask or mouthpiece assembly for escape - Requirements, Testing, Marking
- Offshore Applications
For offshore platform applications or marine industry applications, the EEBD should be further tested according to the International Standard. This standard has the same requirements as EN 402:2003, but with additional highly increased requirements for resistance to corrosion and mechanical stress.
*SO 23269-1:2008
Ships and marine technology — Breathing apparatus for ships — Part 1: Emergency escape breathing devices (EEBD) for shipboard use
- Intrinsic Safety
For intrinsic safety requirements in the oil & gas industry as well as high hazardous environments, further tests can be conducted and the EEBD can be certified according to the European ATEX Directive 94/9/EC using the following European and International Standards.
EN 1127-1:2011
Explosive atmospheres - Explosion prevention and protection - Part 1: Basic concepts and methodology
EN 13463-1:2009
Non-electrical equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres – Part 1: Basic method and requirements
IEC/TS 60079-32-1:2013
Explosive atmospheres – Part 32-1: Electrostatic hazards, guidance
- Watch for H2S Permeation
To validate whether the EEBD is fit for sour gas applications, additional tests could be carried out by third party laboratories – especially if H2S is a real concern. These critical tests serve to measure the permeation of H2S through the materials/components** of the EEBD to make sure that the EEBD is H2S resistant.
** Permeation is the ability of contaminants to go through materials, even without any leakages (i.e. even with a tight face piece). H2S is known to permeate very well through several elastomeric materials used in the manufacturing of full face masks, breathing hoses or diaphragms of lung-governed demand valves. Selection of proper materials in the design stage is very critical for the real protection provided by EEBDs.
To be finally approved and certified for use in Europe, pressure demand (positive pressure) EEBDs are tested to the applicable European Standard.
EN 402:2003
Respiratory protective devices - Lung governed demand Self-contained open-circuit compressed air breathing apparatus with full face mask or mouthpiece assembly for escape - Requirements, Testing, Marking
For offshore platform applications or marine industry applications, the EEBD should be further tested according to the International Standard. This standard has the same requirements as EN 402:2003, but with additional highly increased requirements for resistance to corrosion and mechanical stress.
*SO 23269-1:2008
Ships and marine technology — Breathing apparatus for ships — Part 1: Emergency escape breathing devices (EEBD) for shipboard use
For intrinsic safety requirements in the oil & gas industry as well as high hazardous environments, further tests can be conducted and the EEBD can be certified according to the European ATEX Directive 94/9/EC using the following European and International Standards.
EN 1127-1:2011
Explosive atmospheres - Explosion prevention and protection - Part 1: Basic concepts and methodology
EN 13463-1:2009
Non-electrical equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres – Part 1: Basic method and requirements
IEC/TS 60079-32-1:2013
Explosive atmospheres – Part 32-1: Electrostatic hazards, guidance
To validate whether the EEBD is fit for sour gas applications, additional tests could be carried out by third party laboratories – especially if H2S is a real concern. These critical tests serve to measure the permeation of H2S through the materials/components** of the EEBD to make sure that the EEBD is H2S resistant.
** Permeation is the ability of contaminants to go through materials, even without any leakages (i.e. even with a tight face piece). H2S is known to permeate very well through several elastomeric materials used in the manufacturing of full face masks, breathing hoses or diaphragms of lung-governed demand valves. Selection of proper materials in the design stage is very critical for the real protection provided by EEBDs.